Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 08, 2023: SOAP #4996: Jeremiah 1-2; John 10

SCRIPTURE:  Jeremiah (NIV) 1:6 “Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” 7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. 9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth.

OBSERVATION:  Jeremiah had a problem.  (It was the same problem Moses had.)  In verse 6 Jeremiah said, “I do not know how to speak,” and “I am only a child.”

When Jeremiah was saying “I am only a child,” he had his eyes on himself.  He was looking at his limitations.  He was not counting on God’s abilities but his own inabilities.

In the previous verses, God had told Jeremiah that he had now arrived at the time and place for which God had originally formed him.  Before Jeremiah was formed in the womb, God knew this child would have a special purpose and place in Israel, being a spokesperson for the Lord God.  Jeremiah had been set apart (sanctified) for this very purpose.  Jeremiah was formed, set apart, and sent (appointed).

APPLICATION:  The key for Jeremiah is found in verse 7.  Jeremiah was to go to those to whom GOD had sent him and Jeremiah is to say to those people what GOD had given him to say.  Jeremiah was only the messenger/delivery boy. He must keep his ears open to the Lord God. Jeremiah had said he could not speak, I hear God saying, “you do not have to speak, only repeat!”

In writing a SOAP each day, this clearly speaks to me.  It is not for me to come up with something good that God has said in the past, or something that He will say in the future, or something I would like to hear Him say.  Rather it is for me to repeat what God IS saying today. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, keep my ears attentive to what you are saying.  Help me repeat it clearly.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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